Local advocates reflect on Russian adoption experience

James, Kirill, Kristin and Kristina Vitale share a bedtime story Thursday night. After a grueling adoption process, mountains of paperwork and three expensive trips to Russia, the Newport Beach couple finally brought home Kristina, 9, and Kirill, 6, from an orphanage tucked away in Vyborg, a town near St. Petersburg. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Russian adoption process

American families were required under the most recent government regulations to make three trips to Russia. In 2011, the United States and Russia signed an agreement to strengthen procedural safeguards for adoptions after a Tennessee woman sent her 10-year-old adopted son back on a plane to Moscow with a letter asking Russian authorities to annul the adoption.

During the first trip, families met and spent a few hours each day for a week with the child.

The second trip involved physical and psychological evaluations of the parents and a court hearing where they were questioned about an array of personal, professional and health issues.

Once the court granted permission, there was a 30-day waiting period. Then the family returned for a third time to take their child home.

What's next?

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution expressing disappointment at the action of the Russian government and urging Russian officials to allow families who are already in the pipeline to go through with the adoptions. Adoption advocates say they must wait until after the holidays in Russia to approach government officials about offering clemency to families who are deep into the process.

Thanksgiving was a blessing in more than one way for Kristin Vitale and her husband, James.

After a grueling adoption process, mountains of paperwork and three expensive trips to Russia, the Newport Beach couple finally brought home Kristina, 9, and her brother, Kirill, 6, from an orphanage tucked away in Vyborg, a town near St. Petersburg.

Vitale says she shudders when she thinks that her children may have been left behind had the process been delayed by barely a month.

On Dec. 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill prohibiting Americans from adopting Russian children, slamming the door on dozens of children in the process of being adopted by American families. The United States is the biggest destination for adopted Russian children, with more than 60,000 taken in by American parents in two decades.

The adoption ban has angered Americans and Russians who argue that it makes innocent children pawns in the political process and dashes the hopes and dreams of thousands of children who crowd that nation's orphanages.

Congress and the U.S. State Department have been making efforts to persuade the Russian government to accommodate families already deep into the process. Late Tuesday night, the Senate passed a resolution expressing disappointment and urging the Russian government to grant clemency in cases already initiated.

Russia's move has been heartbreaking for dozens of couples nationwide who were so close to bringing their children home, said Rhonda Jarema, director of support services for Nightlight Christian Adoptions in Anaheim.

"When I think of the children and families that are waiting to bring them home, my heart is broken," said Jarema, who has adopted five children from Russia ranging from 5 to 16.

Terry Norton and her husband, Dave, have adopted two children from Russia, Maddie, 14, and Nikita, 7. They were less than a month away from bringing home their third, Nastia.

Norton says the 12-year-old girl stayed with her family in 2010 when she was on a tour with her orphanage. The Nortons went back to St. Petersburg after that to spend time with Nastia. They were scheduled to bring her home in mid-January. Instead, they wait, unable to contact the girl they already consider their daughter and have named Lucy.

Nastia is Hepatitis B-positive, which significantly decreases the likelihood of a Russian family adopting her, Norton said.

"I have great respect for the fact that Russia wants to take better care of its children," she said. "But let the families in the pipeline finish their adoptions. Let these children go to their families."

UNICEF estimates there are about 740,000 children who are not in parental custody in Russia while about 18,000 Russians are on the waiting list to adopt a child.

The measure signed into law by Putin is retaliation for an American law that calls for sanctions against Russian officials deemed human rights violators, said Kathleen Strottman, executive director of Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that works closely with members of Congress on adoption-related issues.

James, Kirill, Kristin and Kristina Vitale share a bedtime story Thursday night. After a grueling adoption process, mountains of paperwork and three expensive trips to Russia, the Newport Beach couple finally brought home Kristina, 9, and Kirill, 6, from an orphanage tucked away in Vyborg, a town near St. Petersburg. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Vitales, father James, mom Kristin, Kirill, 6, and Kristina, 9, sit for a photo in their Newport Coast home Thursday. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Vitales, father James, mom Kristin, Kirill, 6, and Kristina, 9, sit for a photo in their Newport Coast home Thursday. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Kirill Vitale flosses before bed under the watchful eye of his father, James. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
James Vitale helps his son, Kirill, brush his teeth before bed. MICHAEL GOULDING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Karl and Rhonda Jarema have adopted several children from Russian orphanages. They are concerned that Russia is shutting the door on U.S. child adoptions for political reasons. Rhonda is director of support services for Nightlight Christian Adoptions. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
From left, Luba, Katya, Masha, Gula and Toma pose for a photo wearing the costumes they use while performing with the Nightlight Ensemble, which is made up of children adopted from Russia who perform Russian music and dance. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Karl and Rhonda Jarema have adopted several children from Russian orphanages. They are concerned that Russia is shutting the door on U.S. child adoptions for political reasons. Rhonda is director of support services for Nightlight Christian Adoptions. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
Back row from left, Toma, Masha, Katya and Luba, and front, Gula, were adopted from Russia by families in Orange County. The United States is the biggest destination for adopted Russian children, with more than 60,000 taken in by American parents over the past two decades. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER
From left, Katya, Masha, Toma, Luba and Gula were adopted from Russia by families in Orange County. They are wearing costumes from their group, the Nightlight Ensemble, made up of children adopted from Russia who perform Russian music and dance. The United States is the biggest destination for adopted Russian children, with more than 60,000 taken in by American parents over the past two decades. CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.